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Is Smoking Pipe Safe In An Elderly Person?
Question: Good afternoon. I am a 59 year old within my weight range, B/P good, non diabetic and fairly fit, I am an non smoker but just started to smoke a pipe once per day and I don't inhale. is this really dangerous at my age?
Brief Answer:
It is still dangerous
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns.
Based on history you have shared, it is really commendable the way you have kept things in check and your blood pressures, sugars and weight are all within range. That surely tell alot about you being concerned about your personal hygiene which is indeed an excellent trend. However, since so far you have refrained from smoking upto this age, it would have been best if yiu have kept it that way now and in future too. Starting at this age as social smoking as you have described it like, though you are just doing puffs and not inhaling it but some of its amount does still go in with your breaths thus exposing yiu to the harmful effects of exposure to such products. Similarly risk of oral cancers is even more when you are keeping it upto oral cavity and puffing it out. So it is better to completely quit it else apart from risks which are involved it is high chance that you may end up being a regular chain smoker.
Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
It is still dangerous
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns.
Based on history you have shared, it is really commendable the way you have kept things in check and your blood pressures, sugars and weight are all within range. That surely tell alot about you being concerned about your personal hygiene which is indeed an excellent trend. However, since so far you have refrained from smoking upto this age, it would have been best if yiu have kept it that way now and in future too. Starting at this age as social smoking as you have described it like, though you are just doing puffs and not inhaling it but some of its amount does still go in with your breaths thus exposing yiu to the harmful effects of exposure to such products. Similarly risk of oral cancers is even more when you are keeping it upto oral cavity and puffing it out. So it is better to completely quit it else apart from risks which are involved it is high chance that you may end up being a regular chain smoker.
Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Dear Dr. Ulabidin,
Thank you for your answer. As I rarely drink alcohol and I am adamant that I could stick to 1 bowl per day without getting addicted, and what is really the chance of oral cancer with 1 a day. I only smoke it 1 time at night in a ventilated room and not in front of my family, I use a charcoal filter and it really helps my stress and it is so calming. I know as a family GP you cannot condone smoking but could you answer based on the above in reality what are the chances.
Some studies in the U.S.A. suggest none, or less than 1%?
Kind regards.
Thank you for your answer. As I rarely drink alcohol and I am adamant that I could stick to 1 bowl per day without getting addicted, and what is really the chance of oral cancer with 1 a day. I only smoke it 1 time at night in a ventilated room and not in front of my family, I use a charcoal filter and it really helps my stress and it is so calming. I know as a family GP you cannot condone smoking but could you answer based on the above in reality what are the chances.
Some studies in the U.S.A. suggest none, or less than 1%?
Kind regards.
Brief Answer:
Even if it is less than 1%, it is a very high percentage
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for sharing your concerns. Based on all the facts you have shared, I would just like to spare this argument to the fact that if you are getting relief from anxiety and other such stressers, some amount of nicotine or amphetamines has been reaching your circulation, so risks remain similar. Such substances have got two issues. One is dependance aka addiction and second being tachyphylaxis or modulation of receptors. Now this is a technical term and detailed overview of this, may be boring for you, but to simplify it, it means that after a few weeks one cigar or cigarette will not be enough, and you will need more to get the same amount of relief. No matter how determined you are, because right amount of determination is simply the one which can let you quit this habbit once and forever.
Similarly, If you talk about the risk only, mouth exposure remains the same with puffing and even if it less than 1% it is a very high index, and apart from that, systemic exposure in blood of all the carcinogens present in tobacco are being experienced by you to it is better to refrain from it. For anxiety or stress, alternate option is to discuss with a psychiatrist and start anxiolytics and keep a proper follow up and you will feel better.
Wishing you a risk free life ahead. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more queries. Regards.
Even if it is less than 1%, it is a very high percentage
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for sharing your concerns. Based on all the facts you have shared, I would just like to spare this argument to the fact that if you are getting relief from anxiety and other such stressers, some amount of nicotine or amphetamines has been reaching your circulation, so risks remain similar. Such substances have got two issues. One is dependance aka addiction and second being tachyphylaxis or modulation of receptors. Now this is a technical term and detailed overview of this, may be boring for you, but to simplify it, it means that after a few weeks one cigar or cigarette will not be enough, and you will need more to get the same amount of relief. No matter how determined you are, because right amount of determination is simply the one which can let you quit this habbit once and forever.
Similarly, If you talk about the risk only, mouth exposure remains the same with puffing and even if it less than 1% it is a very high index, and apart from that, systemic exposure in blood of all the carcinogens present in tobacco are being experienced by you to it is better to refrain from it. For anxiety or stress, alternate option is to discuss with a psychiatrist and start anxiolytics and keep a proper follow up and you will feel better.
Wishing you a risk free life ahead. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more queries. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I have the following symptoms, is it possible to give a diagnoses and further advice please.
Fatigue/exhaustion.
Run down/lack energy.
Itchy skin.
Out of breath.
Constipation.
Sleep problems.
Anxiety
Essential head tremor.
Fatigue/exhaustion.
Run down/lack energy.
Itchy skin.
Out of breath.
Constipation.
Sleep problems.
Anxiety
Essential head tremor.
Brief Answer:
Can all.be due to your anxiety issues
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for sharing your concerns in minute detail. These can be due to variety of diseases as these are very generalised or prodromal symptoms with chronic diseases, autoimmune disorders, endocrinological abnormalities or nutritional defficiencies but in the setting of your past history, it can be due to your anxiety exacerbations. Next course action should be:
First proceed with baseline investigations which are common to all, like complete blood picture, renal function tests, ESR, electrolytes, CRP, Liver function tests, Calcium, sugars and thyroid levels and that will guide you for next step of relevant labs.
Meanwhile keep managing these symptomatically as for constipation relief you can use stool softners or motility agents like lactulose or domperidone , for itching anti histamines like cetrizine, supplements for B12, D3, folic acid and iron for generalised weakness. Simmilarly sleep problems can be adressed with appropriate anxiolytics or first generation anti histamines. These all options may be discussed with your GP while continuing appropriate workup and detailed examination for all of these symptoms to rule out relevant organ systems involvements.
However these all seem to be related to your primary issues relating anxiety issues, and can be encompassed under that diagnosis so I would also suggest to arrange a sitting with a psychiatrist after doing baseline labs.
Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, Regards.
Can all.be due to your anxiety issues
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for sharing your concerns in minute detail. These can be due to variety of diseases as these are very generalised or prodromal symptoms with chronic diseases, autoimmune disorders, endocrinological abnormalities or nutritional defficiencies but in the setting of your past history, it can be due to your anxiety exacerbations. Next course action should be:
First proceed with baseline investigations which are common to all, like complete blood picture, renal function tests, ESR, electrolytes, CRP, Liver function tests, Calcium, sugars and thyroid levels and that will guide you for next step of relevant labs.
Meanwhile keep managing these symptomatically as for constipation relief you can use stool softners or motility agents like lactulose or domperidone , for itching anti histamines like cetrizine, supplements for B12, D3, folic acid and iron for generalised weakness. Simmilarly sleep problems can be adressed with appropriate anxiolytics or first generation anti histamines. These all options may be discussed with your GP while continuing appropriate workup and detailed examination for all of these symptoms to rule out relevant organ systems involvements.
However these all seem to be related to your primary issues relating anxiety issues, and can be encompassed under that diagnosis so I would also suggest to arrange a sitting with a psychiatrist after doing baseline labs.
Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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